Alexander, Burr: Senate Unanimously Passes Legislation to Help FDA Better Equip Warfighters with Lifesaving Treatments

WASHINGTON, Nov. 16, 2017 – Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr (R-N.C.) made the following statements after the Senate today sent to the president legislation that would speed safe drugs and devices for use in battlefield emergencies:

Alexander said: “There was a problem and this legislation is going to give FDA the tools to solve that problem by getting safe and effective medicines more rapidly to warfighters on the battlefield. Chairman McCain and FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb deserve great credit for their work on this important bill.”

Burr said: “With final passage of today’s legislation, we can better protect our troops by improving emergency access to drugs that will help save and enhance lives of those who serve. Ultimately, this bill will encourage and expedite the development and approval of new remedies to commonly seen injuries on the battlefield, getting safe, effective and potentially lifesaving drugs and treatments to the military personnel that need them the most. I thank Senators McCain and Alexander for their work on this important legislation.”

The legislation, H.R. 4374, which will accompany the National Defense Authorization Act Conference Report, was unanimously passed by the House of Representatives yesterday.

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